I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places like
Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same sort of price
as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins - or hopefully not
their quality and service?

--
*Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 2008-06-07 13:38:50 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
said:

I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places like
Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same sort of price
as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins - or hopefully not
their quality and service?

Can be a marketing strategy.

The products have a market lifetime before the next one comes out and
those towards end of life might as well be sold on offer. This also
reduces the unit cost when tooling is considered.

Finally, it is a way to sell customers who would have bought Ryobi et
al. up to Makita. They may then buy the early on market and more
expensive products next time.

Market share is a powerful driver. If you look in the annual
reports of the major power tool manufacturers, you will find a lot
about that.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places like
Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same sort of price
as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins - or hopefully not
their quality and service?

They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps that
means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the whole
new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They also seem
to have created some lower end products (typically the lower end of the
model range with expensive batteries on the cordless stuff). Having said
that, if you pick and chose carefully and shop around a bit, Makita are
usually good value IMHO.

--
Cheers,

John.

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\================================================= ================/

They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps that
means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the whole
new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They also seem
to have created some lower end products (typically the lower end of the
model range with expensive batteries on the cordless stuff). Having said
that, if you pick and chose carefully and shop around a bit, Makita are
usually good value IMHO.

Pretty much my observations. Makita on discount tends to be the rather
small capacity batteries - and on drills, the rather basic two-sleeve
chucks. Still - screwfix has been offering some remarkably good deals
- maybe it's an effort to win a larger proportion of people over to
buying pro-quality tools.

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-06-07 13:38:50 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
said:

I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places
like Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same
sort of price as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins
- or hopefully not their quality and service?

Can be a marketing strategy.

A cunning plan. Inscrutable these Oriantals.

The products have a market lifetime before the next one comes out and
those towards end of life might as well be sold on offer. This also
reduces the unit cost when tooling is considered.

They just started to make the 'Site' brand for Screwfix in red, it features
the older model 4341 jigsaw for example.

Finally, it is a way to sell customers who would have bought Ryobi et
al. up to Makita. They may then buy the early on market and more
expensive products next time.

Certainly happened to me. I wanted an impact driver & bought the Makita
deal from Screwfix. Impact driver, drill driver, charger & 3 batts - £130.
Sold me on the sheer quality of the stuff.

Market share is a powerful driver. How powerful? 12v?, 14.4v?, 18v?
:-)



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

John Rumm wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places
like Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same
sort of price as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins
- or hopefully not their quality and service?

They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps
that means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the
whole new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They
also seem to have created some lower end products (typically the
lower end of the model range with expensive batteries on the cordless
stuff). Having said that, if you pick and chose carefully and shop
around a bit, Makita are usually good value IMHO.

One way they (& others) do this is to include 1.3 a/hr batteries. Good
quality as you say, but smaller than those included with tools not on offer.
I guess that saves them money?

Not been a problem, my 12v & 14.4v stuff all has 1.3 a/hr batts - they use
the same charger, which is handy. 1.3 will charge in under 30 mins, 14.4v
just over 30 mins. Chargers are excellent.

Only problem I can see with lower capacity batteries is that they are
charged more often & might have a shorter life. I know traction batteries
used in floor cleaning machines are classified as say '300 cycle' - which is
their useful life. Does that apply to power tool batteries as well? I
guess it does.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

wrote:
They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps
that means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the
whole new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They
also seem to have created some lower end products (typically the
lower end of the model range with expensive batteries on the
cordless stuff). Having said that, if you pick and chose carefully
and shop around a bit, Makita are usually good value IMHO.

Pretty much my observations. Makita on discount tends to be the rather
small capacity batteries - and on drills, the rather basic two-sleeve
chucks. Still - screwfix has been offering some remarkably good deals
- maybe it's an effort to win a larger proportion of people over to
buying pro-quality tools.

Agreed on the chuck. I replaced the one on my 14.v combi with a metal one -
much better.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 2008-06-07 15:54:56 +0100, "The Medway Handyman"
said:



Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-06-07 13:38:50 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
said:

I've noticed the price differential between Makita and the one-above-
base-level stuff like Ryobi has narrowed considerably. Indeed places
like Screwfix sometimes have Makita on special offer at the same
sort of price as those. Does this mean they've reduced their margins
- or hopefully not their quality and service?

Can be a marketing strategy.

A cunning plan. Inscrutable these Oriantals.

Come with boi ri.....



The products have a market lifetime before the next one comes out and
those towards end of life might as well be sold on offer. This also
reduces the unit cost when tooling is considered.

They just started to make the 'Site' brand for Screwfix in red, it features
the older model 4341 jigsaw for example.

Same tooling, different dye in plastic.


Finally, it is a way to sell customers who would have bought Ryobi et
al. up to Makita. They may then buy the early on market and more
expensive products next time.

Certainly happened to me. I wanted an impact driver & bought the Makita
deal from Screwfix. Impact driver, drill driver, charger & 3 batts - £130.
Sold me on the sheer quality of the stuff.

Market share is a powerful driver. How powerful? 12v?, 14.4v?, 18v?
:-)

It's not the volts that count though.....

Paul Matthews wrote:
Andy Hall wrote:
Finally, it is a way to sell customers who would have bought Ryobi et
al. up to Makita.

I must admit that after the cordless combi I bout for £80 after it was
mentioned here, Makita has been the first brand I look at since.

Same here! I'd be interested to know how many of those they shifted,
judging by the length of time the promotion ran (and finished with an ad
campaign in the Sunday papers).

Though as noted - the combi is an old model; eg it comes with NiCad
batteries and doesn't have cute little LED lights shining on the
workpiece (which I would have dearly loved the other day while drilling
inside a dark cupboard!

David

wrote:
They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps that
means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the whole
new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They also seem
to have created some lower end products (typically the lower end of the
model range with expensive batteries on the cordless stuff). Having said

oops make that "less expensive batteries"

that, if you pick and chose carefully and shop around a bit, Makita are
usually good value IMHO.

Pretty much my observations. Makita on discount tends to be the rather
small capacity batteries - and on drills, the rather basic two-sleeve
chucks. Still - screwfix has been offering some remarkably good deals
- maybe it's an effort to win a larger proportion of people over to
buying pro-quality tools.

Could be...


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

The Medway Handyman wrote:
wrote:
They seem to have increased the rate of new model releases, perhaps
that means there is more old stock to shift at discount (perhaps the
whole new range of Li Ion cordless stuff is partly the cause). They
also seem to have created some lower end products (typically the
lower end of the model range with expensive batteries on the
cordless stuff). Having said that, if you pick and chose carefully
and shop around a bit, Makita are usually good value IMHO.
Pretty much my observations. Makita on discount tends to be the rather
small capacity batteries - and on drills, the rather basic two-sleeve
chucks. Still - screwfix has been offering some remarkably good deals
- maybe it's an effort to win a larger proportion of people over to
buying pro-quality tools.

Agreed on the chuck. I replaced the one on my 14.v combi with a metal one -
much better.

They have changed the design used on the single handed ratchet action
chucks they use on the top models as well - I don't think the current
one is quite as good as the previous. (or it might just be in an effort
to make the case more streamlined they have flowed the moulding into the
back of the chuck which makes getting a good grip on it slightly less easy.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
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\================================================= ================/

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Only problem I can see with lower capacity batteries is that they are
charged more often & might have a shorter life. I know traction batteries
used in floor cleaning machines are classified as say '300 cycle' - which is
their useful life. Does that apply to power tool batteries as well? I
guess it does.

Traction batts are usually SLAs rather than NiCd or NiMh. You ought to
get 500 cycles on a quality set of the latter. It depends a bit on the
point you decide that they are not holding enough charge anymore I guess.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

The Medway Handyman wrote:

They just started to make the 'Site' brand for Screwfix in red, it features
the older model 4341 jigsaw for example.

They did Maktec for a bit as well - not sure I have seen those about
lately.

Market share is a powerful driver. How powerful? 12v?, 14.4v?, 18v?

Watt?

;-)


--
Cheers,

John.

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\================================================= ================/

Lobster wrote:

Though as noted - the combi is an old model; eg it comes with NiCad
batteries and doesn't have cute little LED lights shining on the
workpiece (which I would have dearly loved the other day while drilling
inside a dark cupboard!

Get one of those LED head torches - much better!

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In article ,
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Only problem I can see with lower capacity batteries is that they are
charged more often & might have a shorter life. I know traction
batteries used in floor cleaning machines are classified as say '300
cycle' - which is their useful life. Does that apply to power tool
batteries as well? I guess it does.

Yes. I use a fair number of rechargeables for broadcast gear and get
somewhere between 500-1000 cycles using decent quality Ni-Cads and a kind
charger. They're also not used in high current devices. I'd expect a power
tool battery not to make as many.

--
*He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless, dead.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "The Medway Handyman"
saying something like:

Not been a problem, my 12v & 14.4v stuff all has 1.3 a/hr batts - they use
the same charger, which is handy. 1.3 will charge in under 30 mins, 14.4v
just over 30 mins. Chargers are excellent.

Indeed. In an effort to more-or-less communalise batteries and chargers
I bought a later Makita charger which automatically recognises 7.2, 12
and 14.4V batteries and treats NiCads and NiMHs as appropriate. No more
faffing around, just stick any old battery in and come back any time and
it's done.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

In article ,
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
Indeed. In an effort to more-or-less communalise batteries and chargers
I bought a later Makita charger which automatically recognises 7.2, 12
and 14.4V batteries and treats NiCads and NiMHs as appropriate. No more
faffing around, just stick any old battery in and come back any time and
it's done.

All your batteries have the same connectors?

--
*Income tax service - We‘ve got what it takes to take what you've got.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Dave Plowman (News)"
saying something like:

In article ,
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
Indeed. In an effort to more-or-less communalise batteries and chargers
I bought a later Makita charger which automatically recognises 7.2, 12
and 14.4V batteries and treats NiCads and NiMHs as appropriate. No more
faffing around, just stick any old battery in and come back any time and
it's done.

All your batteries have the same connectors?

The charger accepts all Makita ones up to 14.4V. If I'd gone the extra
twenty quid it would have been up to 18V and the latest ones do up to
24V, I believe. I'm not sure if the later (24V) have the same
connectors.

Here's a reference...
http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/...ita%20Chargers

I've got the DC1414 (cost half that, off ebay); the DC24SC looks like
it's the ultimate for compatability, but at a price.

--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
Indeed. In an effort to more-or-less communalise batteries and chargers
I bought a later Makita charger which automatically recognises 7.2, 12
and 14.4V batteries and treats NiCads and NiMHs as appropriate. No more
faffing around, just stick any old battery in and come back any time and
it's done.

All your batteries have the same connectors?

Most of their chargers will charge anything from 7.2V up to the chargers
maximum.

Makita have used the same battery end for years (at least 15). Also
handy is some other tool makers use to copy it. I have an old 7.2V drill
driver that I had given uip using because of its single battery and slow
poor charger. Found out it fits in the charger for my 18V combi and
that has given it a new lease of life


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
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